David Braun has done a remarkable job as Northwestern’s interim head coach in what is a tumultuous season for the program. He’s done such a great job the Wildcats are expected to remove the interim tag.

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Braun is expected to be named the full-time head coach after his impressive stint as the interim. Northwestern is currently 5-5 on the season and would clinch bowl eligibility with another win in the final two weeks.

It is hard to argue with the results of Northwestern under Braun’s guidance following the offseason firing of Pat Fitzgerald. The Wildcats have 5 wins, including 3 in conference play, and have a shot at bowl eligibility in a full season for the first time since 2018 (not counting the shortened COVID season).

By comparison, the Wildcats went 4-20 overall in Fitzgerald’s last 2 seasons with the program. Northwestern was 2-16 in B1G play across 2021-22.

If Braun does receive the full-time gig, it would complete an incredible rise for the coach. His coaching career began as a GA for Winona State in 2008, and he most recently served as the defensive coordinator for FCS powerhouse North Dakota State.

Braun was originally brought to Northwestern to serve as the DC under Fitzgerald but was handed the reins after Fitzgerald’s firing related to a hazing scandal within the football program. Now, Braun appears poised to take the helm of Northwestern as his first full-time head coaching gig.